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Executive Committee Spotlight:
Lana Mook, Mayor, El Mirage
Name, title & city/town:
Lana Mook
Mayor
City of El Mirage
Year elected to office:
August 24, 2010; Sworn into office December 9, 2010
Years served on Executive Committee:
Just appointed
Hometown:
Norfolk, Nebraska
Why did you decide to serve in local government?
That is an interesting question for me. I'm basically a political newbie. Up until the past few years, I've never been involved in politics. However, my husband
and I grew increasingly concerned over the negative - and numerous - articles we were reading in the newspaper about our City, most of it dealing with the City's
anti-Luke AFB posturing at that time. I've never been one to just sit around complaining so I decided to do something about it. I began attending council
meetings, writing letters to the editor, attending forums and meeting with community leaders to learn more about what was going on. The previous administration
didn't seem to be interested in listening to our residents so ultimately, those efforts led me to the campaign trail and I was elected Mayor last August.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city today?
El Mirage, like a number of other municipalities, has really been struggling during this economic downturn. But what makes our reality even more challenging is
the fact we are a) landlocked, b) built out residentially, and c) have significant restraints on the type of commercial development we can pursue due to the fact
our community is in the flight path of Luke AFB. Our biggest challenge today is creating a city that can continue to provide our residents with the quality
services and amenities they need and desire while being economically self-sustaining.
This means we must expand our commercial tax base and that is where our focus is directed right now. We are developing a vision for our remaining vacant land that
will optimize its value to the City and to our residents. And we are partnering with our neighboring communities and regional organizations to improve our
transportation corridors and infrastructure to make El Mirage even more attractive to business.
What opportunities do you see for your community?
The City of El Mirage has a tremendous opportunity today to create a vibrant future. We have one of the lowest crime rates in the West Valley, we have quality
homes that are very affordable, we have some great parks for families and a very responsive city government, including our police and fire departments. In
addition, we have some critical transportation projects underway that will greatly improve traffic flow and the ability for residents and customers to travel
in and about the City. I see a huge opportunity for El Mirage in this November's bond election. On November 8, our voters will be considering a bond
initiative to bring a community recreational facility with swimming pool and a more secure permanent police station to El Mirage. It will be up to our
residents to decide if they want El Mirage to simply be a place where they live or if they want it to be a premier community with major amenities where they
can live, work and play. The outcome of this election, in my opinion, will determine El Mirage's future.
Why is the League important to cities and towns in Arizona?
This is a favorite subject of mine - you will find me to be a great advocate for the League. With five individuals completely new to politics getting elected last
year, the City of El Mirage has relied heavily on the League for training and information in a number of areas. The staff at the League was always ready and
willing to help us and there seems to be a real "service" oriented attitude over there. In addition, during the last legislative session, our City had some
priority legislation it was working on. The League helped us tremendously with that effort by providing timely and relevant information on the legislative
process and the best ways to navigate that process. I can't say enough good things about the League or why it is so important to cities and towns.
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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